Sedge Peat Research Articles

A feasibility study on the possible use of cellulose content for characterizing histosols (organic soils)

Abstract Quantitative fractionation of a sphagnum peat (Sphagno‐fibrist) and sedge peat (Sapric Medihemist) yielded rather heterogenous hemicellulose and holocellulose fractions. In contrast, cellulose fractions isolated from the peats were not only largely similar to cellulose isolated from a pure plant material (wood), but were also as readily solubilized by a specifically cellulolytic enzyme preparation as a UC14 ‐ labelled cellulose known to be free of lignins and hemicelluloses. The isolated peat celluloses were therefore judged to be relatively uncontaminated with other plant constituents, unaltered and, for the first time5, shown to be amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis, and thus biodegradation. As such, measurement of the cellulose contents of peats offers an avenue for assessing the relative proportion of undecomposed plant materials in peat, and thus by implication, their degree of decomposition, as one of the criteria for their classification and characterization, or for testing various other systems of classification.

Peat fabric and structure

The results of various index tests and standard and scanning electron microscope examinations of Sphagnum and sedge peats form the basis for an investigation of peat fabric and structure.The volumetric and gravimetric relationships of a moderately humified Sphagnum peat are examined in detail, and phase diagrams are constructed for two Sphagnum peats with different degrees of humification. Tentative phase diagrams for a sedge peat are also presented.A brief examination is made of existing classification systems and of some aspects of the formation of peats.

Vane testing in peat

An extensive programme of vane testing has been carried out in a peat bog at Escuminac, N.B. to assess the applicability of vane testing to peat. The variables involved in the programme were depth, size of vane, method of insertion, rate of rotation of the vane, and state of peat tested. Vane strength profiles were obtained in a 7 m thick deposit consisting of sphagnum peat (0–4 m), sphagnum carex peat (4–6 m), and carex sphagnum peat (6–7 m). Vane tests were also carried out in the sphagnum peat under anchored Plexiglas sheets to observe the mode of deformation and failure and to measure the movement of markers inserted into the face of the peat. Additional tests were carried out with field vanes in confined sphagnum peat samples in the laboratory.The observed failure surface was essentially cylindrical for all sizes of vane used, but its diameter was consistently 7–10 mm greater than that of the vane for all vane sizes. The sphagnum peat failed at true angles of rotation of between 17 and 40°, leaving a void behind each blade. At maximum torque the peat within each sector started to move monolithically.The moderately decomposed sphagnum moss peat tested is typically neither fibrous nor amorphous, although some fibres and amorphous material are generally present as a result of varying growth and degradation processes. This type of peat could be considered representative of most moss peats with respect to geotechnical behaviour. It is not, however, representative of the less common, truly fibrous sedge peats or of any purely amorphous peat deposits.Analyses of the mode of deformation of the sphagnum peat in vane shear and comparisons with modes of deformation in other types of shear have led the author to conclude that the vane test, in spite of its practical advantages, does not serve any useful purpose in the testing of peat.

Biomethanation of Minnesota reed sedge peat

The high moisture content of peat, the occurrence in peat of large concentrations of fermentable organics of plant origin, the use of hydraulic peat mining techniques, and the possibility of recycling digested peat residue to the peat bogs are factors that support the position that biological gasification methods can be effectively utilized. Chemical characterization work indicated that peat is rich in organic matter, has all the essential elements needed for biological gasification, and should, in theory, be digestible. However, the chemical analyses also point to three possible impediments to vigorous digestion of peat: (1) The presence in peat of large concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other complex substances of low biodegradabilities; (2) The nonavailability of such essential elements as nitrogen, phosphorus, etc., that are mostly organically bound; and (3) The toxicities arising because of nitrates and other inhibitors. The work reported here consisted of exploratory digestion runs designed to study the effects of such factors as digestion mode, inoculum source, temperature, loading, detention time, feed particle size, and chemical pretreatment on peat digester gas yield, production rate, and gas quality. Work with Minnesota Reed Sedge Peat showed that it could be digested in both batch and continuous modes with or without external nutrient additions. A thermophilic temperature of 55°C effected higher gas yields than other mesophilic or thermophilic test temperatures. A thermophilic (55°C) methane yield of 0.14 std m 3/kg (2.2 SCF/lb) VS (volatile solids) added was obtained with raw as-received peat during batch digestion for about 86 days, compared with a methane yield of 0.11 std m 3/kg (1.7 SCF/lb) VS added observed during semicontinuous thermophilic (55°C digestion at a 60-day detention time and 0.80 kg VS/m 3-day (0.05 lb VS/ft 3-day) loading. Subsequent batch digestion showed that particle size reduction and acid or alkali treatment could cause a three fold increase in methane production over that obtained with raw untreated peat. This suggests that a methane yield of up to 0.31 std m 3/kg (5 SCF/lb) VS added — which is about 60% of the maximum theoretical yield — may be obtained by optimizing the digestion and feed pretreatment conditions.

Sedimentation Rates in a Coastal Marsh Determined from Historical Records

Historical records indicate that Flax Pond, a smallSpartina alterniflora marsh located on the north shore of Long Island, New York, was opened to marine waters in 1803. This opening is recorded in the sediments by a sharp transition from sedge (brackish or fresh water) peat toSpartina (salt marsh) peat. This dated horizon was used to calculate an average net rate of vertical accretion of 2.5 mm/yr and a maximum net rate of 4.7 mm/yr. These estimates may serve to predict the rate at whichSpartina marshes are able to recover from physical disturbance. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00BY066 00002

Paleoecological aspects of the Red Lake Peatland, northern Minnesota

The Red Lake Peatland, situated on the eastern arm of the Lake Agassiz plain in north central Minnesota, is made up of large black spruce raised bogs separated by sedge-covered water tracks marked by string patterns and teardrop-shaped forested islands. About 3 m of peat overlie a prairie soil; the basal peat is 3170 ± 100 years old (14C date). Stratigraphic distribution of pollen, macrofossils, and peat components in a series of cores along a small forested island was used to study the development of the peatland.In pollen zone RLB-1 (lowest) the upland pollen types suggest an oak savanna with a developing mesic deciduous forest. The local pollen indicates a succession from a Typha marsh to a sedge meadow. Zone 2 shows a small rise in Pinus pollen; Ericaceae pollen and Sphagnum spores indicate the development of a bog–heath vegetation type at the coring site. An increase in pollen of spruce and larch reflects the establishment of the island forest. Zone 3 is marked by a rise in Ambrosia pollen, recording agricultural land clearance in northwestern Minnesota in about 1890.The Salix–herb macrofossil assemblage occurs at the base of some cores; it is succeeded stratigraphically by the Typha–Scirpus assemblage, which also makes up the base of the remaining cores. There follows the Carex diandra – Carex aquatilis assemblage, suggesting a sedge meadow. The overlying Menyanthes–Larix assemblage continues to the surface under the sedge fen; under the island, seeds of Chamaedaphne and needles of Picea occur in this assemblage. The incoming of the Menyanthes–Larix assemblage is believed to reflect the first development of the patterned wetland.Reed peat comprises the bottom 20–50 cm of all cores; it corresponds with the lower part of pollen zone 1 and contains the Typha–Scirpus macrofossil assemblage. Pure sedge peat or sedge peat with Bryales corresponds with zone 2 and upper zone 1 of the pollen diagram and contains the Carex diandra –C. aquatilis macrofossil assemblage. Ericaceous peat occurs only under the island, and it contains the Menyanthes–Larix macrofossil assemblage. Laterally under the present sedge fen it grades into sedge peat with ericaceous components.The general upward succession of communities observed in these peat cores can be duplicated along a west-to-east surface traverse across the present prairie–forest transition. The stratigraphic succession thus records the westward movement of the prairie–forest transition across Beltrami County about 4000–2000 years ago.The area was covered by prairie more than 3100 years ago. Development of a cooler, moister climate led to a Typha marsh in the poorly drained lowland; oak savanna occupied the surrounding upland. As the water level rose in the lowland, peat started to accumulate as sedge meadow developed, and aspen parkland and conifer–hardwood forest moved into the upland. About 2000 years ago the growth of Sphagnum moss increased, accompanied by the development of patterned wetland and bog forest, with conifer–hardwood forest on the upland.

Effect of Soil Moisture Tension and Amendments on Yields and on Herbage N, P, and S Concentrations of Alfalfa1

AbstractLow protein concentration has been observed in alfalfa herbage grown on Gray Wooded Luvisol soils, particularly in cool, wet years. Nutrient deficiencies of N, P, and S also occur on these soils. The objectives of this experiment were to determine how soil moisture and soil type interact with amendments to increase yield and change N, P, and S concentrations in alfalfa (Medicago media Pers.) herbage grown in the greenhouse.Three Gray Wooded Luvisols, Typic Cryoboralf (Arborfield clay, Garrick clay loam, Mollic Cryoboralf, and Waitville loam) and one Dark Gray Luvisol soil (Nipawin sandy clay loam) × two soil moisture tensions (100 and 151 millibars) were main treatments. Amendments of cattle manure, sedge peat, and wheat straw were applied on subplots at 2.5y0 of soil weight. Additional subplots of a control and nitrate (70 μg N/g soil before each crop) were added. Two crops of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and one of rape (Brassica napus L.) were grown before ‘Rambler’ alfalfa.Yield of alfalfa was significantly related to moisture use (r2 = 77% in cut 1; r2 = 78% in cut 2). Moisture use by alfalfa was higher with cattle manure incorporated in the heavier textured Garrick clay loam and Arborfield clay soils than for other amendments or soil types. The manure treatment applied to Garrick clay loam and Arborfield clay soils under low soil moisture tension (LSMT = 100 millibars) produced the highest herbage yields.In the first‐cut only, N concentration of alfalfa herbage was higher under high soil moisture tension (HSMT = 151 millibars) than LSMT (5.0 vs. 4.8% N) and was higher for ammonium nitrate than for manure or peat amended soils. Concentration of P in alfalfa herbage was significantly higher under LSMT than HSMT. Concentration of S in herbage was significantly lower under LSMT than under HSMT only for cut 1.In general, LSMT interacting with soil type and amendments markedly increased alfalfa yields, reduced N and S, and increased P concentration in herbage as compared with HSMT.

Phenolic esters in peat

The p-hydroxypropiophenone ester of stearic acid has been isolated sedge peat. This appears to be the first report of the ester as a natural product.

Studies of fungal remains from the Flandrian deposits in the Whittlesey Mere region, Hunts., England

The paper gives an account of a qualitative and quantitative systematic enumeration of fungal spores and other remains from the Flandrian deposits at Holme Fen and Trundle Mere in the Whittlesey Mere region, Hunts., England. An attempt has also been made towards the correlation of populations of fungi with the various peat types, as a result of which it has been established that certain spore types have frequency variations that are correlated closely with the vegetation of given peat layers more particularly with the brush-wood peat, the Cladium sedge peat and the Phragmites peat. It has indeed been found difficult to correlate the various fungal populations with the peat types of the raised bog for lack of knowledge of their hosts in the bog peats. The paper also discusses the prospects for the investigation of sub-fossil fungal spores particularly in regard to the role they play in the formation of peat types, their history and distribution in the various periods of the Quaternary era, and in regard to their ecological considerations.

Identification of Plant Fragments and Pollen from Peat deposits in Rangitaiki Plains and Maketu Basins

Abstract In the Rangitaiki plains and Maketu basins peat deposits, containing dated tephra marker beds (900–5000 yr B.P.), were sampled for plant remains and pollen. The peat is mainly low–moor, sedge peat formed from Baumea. In wetter periods Restionaceae established, and in drier periods Leptospermum and Gleichenia

Aspects of the microbiology and oxidation of wicken fen soil

Microbial populations of three different layers of undrained sedge peat in Wicken Fen and of the surface layer of an adjacent cultivated garden soil developed from the peat were examined. The surface layer (0–7.5 cm) of the undrained peat had a rhizosphere population of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Serratia, as well as a large Bacillus population; fungi, actinomycetes and pleomorphic bacteria were less important; anaerobes constituted 9 per cent of the total bacterial populations; and protozoan populations were low, a feature attributed in part to the presence of high Serratia populations. The subsurface layer of the sedge peat, at a depth of 7.5–15 cm, had a smaller Gram-negative population; spore-forming and pleomorphic bacteria, and actinomycetes were relatively more important; and there was a slightly larger protozoan population. The deep layer (sampled at 1 m) had a reduced population. Bacillus spores forming 44 per cent of the total bacterial populations, and anaerobes 25 per cent; and the protozoan fauna was small. The surface layer (0–7.5 cm) of the garden soil had a more diverse microflora; algae, actinomycetes and moulds were more numerous; the bacteria showed lower counts than were found in the upper peat layers (0–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm) and only 2 per cent were anaerobes; spores formed only 5 per cent of the count, but vegetative Bacillus cells formed the major part of the bacterial flora. Gramnegative and pleomorphic bacteria being of less importance; and the garden soil had the richest and most active protozoan fauna. Attempts to isolate nitrogen-fixing Clostridium proved negative, but strains of Bacillus polymyxa capable of growing in a nitrogen-free medium were isolated from all the layers and appeared to constitute the principal nitrogen-fixing population of these layers, at least under anaerobic conditions. Respiratory measurements showed a very low rate of carbon dioxide production, generally depressed by anaerobic conditions. Only the upper undrained peat layers showed a marked response to added glucose. From 14C dating of the peat profile down to the underlying clay, and from measurement of boron concentrations, it appeared that there might have been a delay of some hundreds of years between the marine invasion and commencement of peat formation some 4000 years ago; and that peat formation proceeded more rapidly during the first 2000 years of this period than in the last 2000 years. Fire and erosion, rather than microbial oxidation, appear to have been primarily responsible for the loss of the peat during the last two centuries. The microbial oxidation of peat declines with increasing age of the carbon.

Landscape Evolution, Peatland Types, and the Environment in the Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area, Minnesota

The vegetation and peatland types of the Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area are related to topography, waterflow patterns, water chemistry, and the evolution of the landscape as recorded by peat stratigraphy. Eight peatland types are distinguished: (1) minerotrophic swamp, (2) weakly minerotrophic swamp, (3) string bog and patterned fen, (4) forest island and fen complex, (5) transitional forested bog, (6) semi—ombrotrophic bog, (7) ombrotrophic bog (raised bog), and (8) raised bog drain. Consistent differences in pH, Ca, and Mg were found between waters of contrasting peatland types. These differences agree with the division of peatland types by degree of mineral soil water influence (minerotrophy). A general topographic alignment of vegetation and peatland types agrees with the hypothesis of chemical controls. Vegetation types often have sharp boundaries related to changes in water properties, peat surface configuration, and paths of waterflow. Landscape evolution included five phases: (1) Recession of Lake Agassiz about 11,700 years ago. (2) Organic sedimentation of local basins beginning 11,100 years ago. Aquatic peats eventually covered 6% of the substratum. (3) Development of fens, marshes, and carr during the postglacial warm—dry interval, beginning about 8,000 years ago. These peatlands built the sedge peats that now cover 46% of the substratum. Paludification caused water tables to rise, and most water basins were overgrown. (4) Invasion of minerotrophic swamp forests around the perimeter of the peatland and along substratum ridges, beginning about 5,000 years ago as the climate cooled and precipitation increased. These forests built the basal forest peats that now cover 48% of the substratum. (5) Capture of part of the watershed by Northeast Brook about 3,100 years ago, which caused a water—table divide and mineral depletion, initiated sphagnum invasion, and led to development of the present ombrotrophic raised bogs. As convexity grew, a sharp vegetation and chemical gradient developed along the limit of mineral soil water. Myrtle Lake rose steadily with paludification and now stands 11.8 ft (3.6 m) above the ridge 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the lake. Water tables rose 10—20 ft (3.0—6.1 m) over much of a 70—square—mile (181—km2) area. This history does not agree with early concepts of succession, which postulate a trend toward mesophytism with peat accumulation. The only "direction" here is a possible trend toward landscape diversity.

Growth Response of Merion Kentucky Bluegrass to Fertilizer and Lime Treatments1

AbstractThe performance of ‘Merion’ Kentucky bluegrass to 10 fertilizers, applied at three rates, at two pH levels, is herewith reported. Carriers incorporated with fertilizers had little or no effect on grass growth; however, the carrier used in one fertilizer (24‐4‐6) with 23.19% watersoluble nitrogen mixed with reed sedge peat may have absorbed soluble nitrogen to cause slower nitrogen release. Highest total grass yield was obtained from ammonium nitrate and lowest from urea‐form. The lower yields were obtained from less soluble sources of nitrogen while the soluble urea source (45‐0‐0) was intermediate. Loss of nitrogen in the form of ammonia may have accounted for the relatively low yield from this soluble nitrogen source. All fertilizers significantly increased yield of Merion Kentucky bluegrass at pH 4.8 and pH 7.0, but the interaction between fertilizers and pH levels was not significant. There was a highly significant difference in yield among fertilizer sources. Selection of a fertilizer source or form of nitrogen fertilizer should be based on the relative importance of convenience, safety, cost, and response of grass growth.

Effect of application of lime and fertilizers on cultivated peat soil

Soil samples were analysed from a long-term liming trial (38 years) and a fertilizing trial (36 years) on woody sedge peat soils at Tohmajärvi Experimental Station in eastern Finland. Five applications of 4000 or 6000 kg/ha of ground limestone increased the soil pH from 4.4 to 4.8 or 5.0, respectively. The cation exchange capacity was increased from 72 me/100 g to 76 or 80 me/100 g, and the base saturation from 43 per cent to 56 or 61 per cent, respectively, if the exchangeable cations were extracted by ammonium acetate at pH 7. The relative increases in the cation exchange capacity and base saturation percentage were even higher when determined by the method of Teräsvuori. The contents of exchangeable calcium and magnesium were increased and that of potassium decreased by liming. A lower application of lime, five times 2000 kg/ha, did not cause statistically significant changes. Owing to the large variation no significant effect of liming on the content of organic phosphorus or of various fractions of inorganic phosphorus in this soil could be detected. Liming did not increase the total amount of mineral nitrogen extracted by K2SO4-solution from the samples incubated under the labotatory conditions, but the highest application enhanced nitrification. Annual applications of 22 kg P/ha as superphosphate, 66 kg K/ha as 40 % or 50 % potassium fertilizer, and 15 kg N/ha as calcium nitrate alone or in any combination did not change the acidity or the cation exchange capacity of the soil in the fertilizing trial. The application of superphosphate was detectable as higher Bray 1 test values and higher contents of inorganic phosphorus in various fractions. The content of exchangeable potassium was about 0.2 me/100 g in plots N, P, and NP, about 0.3 me/100 g in plots PK and NPK, and more than 0.5 me/100 g in plots K and NK. This is well in accordance with the significant response in yields produced by phosphate in this trial. The accumulation of mineral nitrogen in the samples incubated under the laboratory conditions was highest in soil from plots K and NK, and lowest in soil from the plots PK and P.

The Chemical Composition of Sphagnum Species and the Influence of Drainage on its Location

AbstractDrainage of a sedge swamp containing islands of Sphagnum species resulted in a shift of new sph gnum growth on to the sedge around the perimeter of the islands. The new sphagnum deposit developed on a substratum of sedge peat was higher in exchangeable Ca and Mg, total N, percent ash and pH than that produced in its original location on the lower nutritional substratum of sphagnum peat.

RESPONSE OF REED CANARYGRASS ON SEDGE–ORGANIC SOIL TO FERTILITY LEVELS AND TEMPERATURE IN THE GROWTH ROOM

Reed canarygrass grown in a growth room showed marked response to N, P and K on two out of three sedge peat soils of central British Columbia. On the third soil, there was little response to P but marked response to K and N. Reducing the soil temperature from 21.1° to 12.8 °C reduced the average yield 10%; dropping it from 12.8° to 4.4 °C reduced yield a further 15%. P was particularly limiting at the lower temperature. K seemed to be required for vigor and persistence of reed canarygrass. It was concluded that it is necessary to have heavy applications of the proper combination of nutrients for each individual soil, for optimum productivity.

The pH-reaction of the peat in long-term soil improvement and fertilizing trials at the Leteensuo experimental station

The investigation is a report on the pH-reaction in the plough layer of the soil improvement and fertilizing tests carried on at the Experimental Station of Leteensuo during several decades. The tests were located on two areas with a peat layer consisting of Sphagnum peat with pH 3.3, derived from S. fuscum moss in one case, and of forest sedge peat with pH 4.1 in the other. The clay and sand employed as soil improving agents had pH 5.9 and 4.4, respectively. The effect of liming has proved to be relatively prolonged on Sphagnum bog as well as on fen soil. In the test with different rates of lime addition on Sphagnum bog, the pH value was found to increase linearly with the lime quantity. Addition of mineral soil has produced a remarkable increase in pH. Its effect, too, has been highly prolonged. In spite of their different inherent reactions, the sand and clay have exerted largely similar effects on the pH value of the plough layer. Stable manure possesses an effect resulting in an increase of the pH value and this value is also increased by calcium nitrate fertilization, whereas fertilizing with potassium salt and with superphosphate or fine-ground rock phosphate did not affect the reaction of the peat in any noteworthy and distinct degree.

Fen fertilization with potash in the light of tests at Leteensuo experimental station

On the fen area of the Experimental Station of Leteensuo, with a peat layer consisting of forest sedge peat, potassium fertilization produced a considerable increase of the hay crop yield on the clayed as well as the unclayed bog, when phosphate fertilization had been added. However, clay displayed a considerable potassium fertilizing effect and also other effects, which probably cannot be reproduced by fertilization. The effect of potassium fertilization on the summer cereal crop yield was different in different tests. In two of them, potassium fertilization increased the grain yield but not in the third. The results obtained in this latter instance are thought to have been influenced by the addition of mud through the action of floods. Potassium fertilization had remarkably increased the root crop yields. When phosphate fertilization had not been added, the effect of potassium fertilization was small asa rule. There was no marked difference between the effects of potassium salt and potassium sulphate, although it should be noted that the tests did not contain any treatments with potatoes as the experimental crops, which might show up this difference most clearly.

Mutasuon kalkituskokeiden tuloksia Leteensuolta

Mutasuon kalkituskokeiden tuloksia Leteensuolta

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF CONIFERS: XII. EFFECTS OF MEDIA, TIME OF COLLECTION, AND INDOLYLACETIC ACID TREATMENT ON THE ROOTING OF WHITE PINE AND WHITE SPRUCE CUTTINGS

Semimonthly collections of white pine and white spruce cuttings were taken from July to October, 1939, and propagated in several media. Collections of both species were taken in late October to examine the effect of type of cutting and of planting in media involving different proportions of two sands and two different peats. Cuttings were dusted with a series of concentrations of indolylacetic acid in talc. The season of collection and the medium used for propagation were the factors of main importance. Phytohormone treatment failed to demonstrate appreciable effect, no difference in rooting response could be attributed to the kind of sand used, but there were indications that response increased with the amount of sedge peat in the medium.Rooting of white pine cuttings collected in late August and propagated in a sedge peat medium was 62%, earlier and later collections gave substantially less rooting. Sand only and the sphagnum peat media were generally inferior to the sedge type of peat. At the optimum season of collection the sphagnum peat effected 50% rooting.The late July collection of white spruce cuttings effected rooting of 90% of the plain cuttings when propagation occurred in a sedge peat medium. Low percentages rooted in sand or sphagnum peat media. Cuttings with a heel of old wood tended to be superior to plain cuttings in respect to survival and rooting.Preliminary experiments with spring and early summer collections of both species resulted in slight rooting. Likewise, greenhouse propagations of dormant material gave very poor results.